Old Womens' Remedies (plate 6) 1843

Charles Jacque made this print, "Old Women's Remedies," in France in 1852, using etching. It is part of a series called "The Sick and the Doctors." The print shows us a man collapsed in a chair, seemingly at the mercy of two older women. With exaggerated features, they represent traditional, perhaps superstitious, forms of healing. Jacque is mocking those forms of medicine that were not sanctioned by institutions such as medical schools. In 19th-century France, the professionalization of medicine was on the rise, and the traditional healing practices of women were increasingly viewed with skepticism. Jacque's print reflects this changing social landscape, subtly ridiculing the old ways in favor of the new, institutionally-backed science. Understanding this print requires us to examine the history of medicine, gender roles, and the rise of professional institutions in 19th-century France. These are the kinds of social contexts that give us a fuller sense of the art of the past.